Russian Fiddle Tunes for Two

These 31 traditional Russian tunes are arranged for two instruments, with chords for back-up musicians included. The tunes in each book of the Russian Fiddle Tunes for Two series are in the same keys so you can all play together. Program notes and a source list are included.

Reviews...

“...another excellent publication by Deborah Greenblatt, ... limitless mixed duet playing and “jammming” possibilities.
Familiar tunes such as the Lonely Birch (Tchaikovsky used it in his Fourth Symphony) and Song of the Volga Boatmen are included in this compilation.
Even though the melody is consistently in the first part, both parts are equal in difficulty and interest, with identical rhythms and bowings.
Key signatures generally don’t venture beyond three flats or sharps, both major and minor.
With a couple of exceptions, the arrangements use the full first-potition sonorous range of the viola;
however, the occasional use of half, second and third positions would ease some awkward string crossings.
The harmonies, predominantly in thirds and sixths, lend to the enjoyable folk-fiddling nature of these tunes.
The printing and layout of this publication are excellent--easy to read and well thought out, with no page turns.
The tunes are arranged alphabetically with witty and concise program notes at the back--a wonderful insight into Russian humour.
While each selection has a suggested metronomic tempo making, dynamics are left entirely to the discretion and imaginations of the players.
Publications such as this offer limitless potential to teachers, students (levels 3 and 4 and higher), amateurs and professionals.
Deborah Greenblatt continues to publish outstanding materials that will provide hours of enjoyment for violists looking for something different, interesting and fun.”

“Once again Ms Greenblat has produced another welcome addition for 2 violas.
Many of us have and are enjoying her excellent folk song collections for 2 violas, which include: The Viola Player’s Book of Rounds (2 or more violas) (Renaissance, European folk, Jewish, American, Australian, etc);
Danish Fiddle Tunes; Irish Fiddle Tunes; and The Viola Fiddling Tune Book & CD.
In keeping with most of Ms Greenblatt’s ‘folk’ duet arrangements, the Russian Fiddle Tunes are published separately for
2 Violins, 2 Violas, 2 Cellos, 2 Basses and 2 Mandolins with all the same pieces in the same keys for all the parts.
This offers players of different instruments to play together.
The collection of 31 folk tunes include not only traditional folk tunes from tsarist Russia, but includes a few from the 20th century.
Well known tunes such as Kalinka, Minka, Moscow Nights (Padmaskovnije Vyechera), The Red Sarafan (Krasny Sarafan) and Song of the Volga Boatman are all included.
Similar to the other fiddle tune books for 2 violas, this collection is in score form and includes chordal indications for guitar or another chordal instrument ad lib.
The melody stays in the 1st viola part, so can be played as a solo with optional chordal instrument (and/or 2nd viola).
In this collection the viola parts have identical rhythm throughout, both parts are entirely in 1st position (with the exception of viola I
in The Cornflower, and viola II in Vo Sadu Ly, V Ohorode requiring 2nd or 3rd position to reach the ‘Fs’). All the pieces are of grade 2 level.
The addition of notes for each of the pieces is a wonderful addition. RECOMMENDED”